Waqas Idrees

Waqas Idrees

Finance, Data Science, Business Intelligence

About Me

“ Experienced in financial management and reporting with a focus on the use of data science and business intelligence to implement real-time data analysis capabilities across operational and financial functions. Involved in MIS, budgeting, mergers & acquisitions, asset valuations, group level financial analysis and audits, group consolidation, financial statement reviews, internal control implementation, forecasting, process re-engineering and business analysis. "

Review Group policies and internal controls to ensure policies and controls are designed and operating in line with the Group objectives and risk profile.

Review and collate information related to issuance of debt (including Islamic financial instruments), bonds, dividends and equity along with financial information to be shared with shareholders, board of directors, audit committee, investment committee, and government agencies.

Prepare and analyze Consolidated Group Financial Statements and ensure they are prepared in compliance with the latest IFRS and regulatory requirements. Advise management on impact of existing and new reporting standards and transition strategies.

Monitor and resolve inquiries from internal, external and government auditors related to Group policies, financial reports and internal controls.

Perform analysis of Group MIS and budget, including quarterly financial information received from Group companies for consolidation of financial statements.

Review and comment on the presentation of periodic financial statements for Management and Audit Committee along with quarterly public press release report.

September 2011 - April 2015

External Auditor - Ernst & Young

Audit senior in-charge of various SMEs and three large-enterprise audit engagements with annual company turnover ranging from USD 400 million (privately held) to USD 6 billion (listed entity). Managed the planning, execution, reviewing and preparation of key audit procedures and deliverables to support review of reporting packs and financial statements, including consolidation processes.

Managed high-performing teams of up to ten junior and senior level staff from audit, tax, and offshore support teams at external audits of both private and public entities, with correspondence and direct reporting to client upper management and key personnel (including Senior Finance Managers, Financial Controllers, CFOs, and Board of Directors).

Introduced and implemented financial data analytics to the audit of two listed entities and over five private entities, resulting in an average 50% time and cost reduction in audit performance while increasing quality of financial reporting through various automated reports (including correlation and relationship analysis of revenue, cost, gross margin, cash, A/P, and A/R), yielding insights for client finance teams which are currently being utilized to improve respective company business processes and profitability.

Streamlined group consolidation audit process at a listed entity through improving the reporting pack submission process in a joint effort with the group’s upper management (i.e. CFO and Group Reporting Manager), resulting in submission review time reduction by 25% and 50% reduction in staff requirements.

Performed reviews of Group monthly MIS Reports/Management Accounts to report on data trend analysis and set expectations for Group consolidation.

Created and maintained documents, weekly reports, worksheets, graphs, and presentations in relation to ongoing company projects to assist upper management in preparing plans of action for budgeting and forecasts.

Certifications

June 2014

Certified Public Accountant

New Hampshire, License 7370

September 2016

Airline Finance and Accounting Management

International Air Transport Association (IATA). Expected completion in 2017.